Part of Lesson Plan: **Ingredient 1: Fuel (updated) by Thomas Dougherty

Activity Overview / Details

Once back in the classroom, I explain stoichiometry to the students the ratio of chemicals at which the most efficient reaction takes place.  For gasoline, the ratio is 14.7:1 air/fuel by weight.  Not enough fuel is a lean mixture which causes excessive heat and a lean misfire.  Too much fuel is a rich mixture which wastes fuel and damages the catalytic converter.  Students taking chemistry classes get to see the practical application of what they learned there.